U.S. patent number 6,756,884 [Application Number 09/906,030] was granted by the patent office on 2004-06-29 for modular traffic information system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Patrick Dijkstra. Invention is credited to Patrick Dijkstra.
United States Patent |
6,756,884 |
Dijkstra |
June 29, 2004 |
Modular traffic information system
Abstract
A modular traffic information system comprising a central
processing unit positionable in a vehicle and a data storage unit;
a viewable display unit positionable in a vehicle and adapted to
act as a user interface between the central processing unit and an
operator; an addressable bus coupled to the central processing
unit; and at least one electronic component positioned within a
vehicle and removably coupled to the central processing unit
through the bus, the electronic component selected from the class
of electronic components including receivers, transmitters and
supplemental electronic components.
Inventors: |
Dijkstra; Patrick (3465TJ,
Driebruggen, NL) |
Assignee: |
Dijkstra; Patrick (Driebruggen,
NL)
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Family
ID: |
25055812 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/906,030 |
Filed: |
July 13, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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759482 |
Jan 12, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
340/425.5;
340/426.1; 340/429; 340/539.1; 342/457 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08G
1/20 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G08G
1/123 (20060101); B60Q 001/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;340/426.1,426.22,425.5,429,990,995,901,902,426.25,426.19,426.14,5.31,539.1
;342/20,357,457,388,386,389,450 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: La; Anh V.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Moser, Patterson & Sheridan,
LLP
Parent Case Text
RELATED APPLICATION
The present application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending
application Ser. No. 09/759,482 filed Jan. 12, 2001.
Claims
What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by Letters
Patent of the United States is as follows:
1. A modular traffic information system for use in association with
a vehicle adapted to receive and analyze signals and then generate
messages in audible and viewable form, by optical and radio
transmissions, in response to the analyzed signals comprising, in
combination: a front patch box positionable in the motor
compartment of a vehicle with a plurality of disconnectable
forwardly facing sensors adapted to receive a wide range of signals
including a radio wave sensor in a horizontal plane and a radio
wave sensor in a vertical plane and optical sensors at different
angles and a plurality of disconnectable extension sensors and
transmitters including a temperature sensor and a shock/vibration
sensor and a plurality of disconnectable forwardly facing
transmitters adapted to send a wide range of signals including an
optical transmitter and a radio frequency/microwave transmitter; a
rear patch box positionable in the trunk of a vehicle with a
plurality of disconnectable rearwardly facing sensors adapted to
receive a wide range of signals including a radio wave sensor in a
horizontal plane and a radio wave sensor in a vertical plane and
optical sensors at different angles and a plurality of
disconnectable extension sensors and transmitters including a
temperature sensor and a shock/vibration sensor and a plurality of
disconnectable rearwardly facing transmitters adapted to send a
wide range of signals including an optical transmitter and a radio
frequency/microwave transmitter; a driver compartment patch box
positionable in a vehicle with a plurality of disconnectable
supplemental electronic components including but not limited to a
mobile phone modem, a sound processor, a position system receiver
of the type selected from the class including a global positioning
system (GPS) and a Loran, a mass storage device and extra
extensions, the mobile modem adapted to receive and transmit data
to a central information center in order to allow easy updating of
data storage units of a sound processor unit and a central
processing unit and a viewable display unit, the mobile phone modem
also adapted to allow easy transfer of information of the plurality
of sensors and transmitters and supplemental electronic components
to a central information unit, the transferred information being in
"real time" as well as from stored information out of one of the
data storage units; the central processing unit positionable in a
vehicle with a data storage unit and having a front bus coupled to
the front patch box and a rear bus coupled to the rear patch box
and a driver bus coupled to the driver compartment patch box, the
central processing unit adapted to process signals from the
plurality of sensors and transmitters and supplemental electronic
components and to analyze the processed signals and make decisions
based on the results of the combination of sensor readings and
operator selections, the decisions made by the central processing
unit adapted to result in one or more of the following actions:
storage of data, generating an audible message, generating a
viewable message, starting an optical transmission, and starting a
radio transmission, the central processing unit further being
adapted to manipulate any analyzed signal in a way as programmed
and requested by a user, the central processing unit further being
adapted to store and use stored information from the data storage
unit of the central processing unit with the information adapted to
be transferred from and to the data storage unit of the display
unit, the central processing unit further being adapted to
auto-detect and use all of the sensors and transmitters and
supplemental electronic components coupled to the front bus and
rear bus and driver bus independent of which buses and which
devices are connected; the viewable display unit positionable in a
vehicle and adapted to act as a user interface between the central
processing unit and an operator, the display unit making use of a
menu structure and so called "soft-keys" to allow easy and flexible
configuration and use of the system, the display unit being adapted
to show the received radio signals in a graphical form from which a
user may witness the strength and frequency of received signals,
the viewable form including graphical information, alphanumeric
representations of the graphical information and text messages,
such viewable display unit also having a graphical representation
with the y-axis representing the strength of any received signal
and the x-axis representing the frequency of any received signal,
the display unit further being adapted to store information and to
use stored information from the data storage unit of the display
unit, such information being adapted to be transferred to and from
the data storage unit of the central processing unit and adapted to
be transferred to and from a home computer through a computer
interface unit; the sound processor unit with a data storage unit
removably coupled to the central processing unit to generate sounds
and spoken text in response to a decision made by the central
processing unit, the sound processor further being adapted to store
sound files in the data storage unit of sound processor unit, the
sound files adapted to be changed, replaced and added by the user
by loading new sound files in the data storage unit of the display
unit as through the computer interface unit, such sound files
adapted to be automatically transferred to the data storage unit of
the sound processor unit as soon as the display unit is connected
to the central processing unit; and a standard home computer with a
computer interface unit adapted to receive the display unit with
its data storage unit for the manipulation and transfer of
information between the data storage unit of the display unit and
the standard home computer.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a modular traffic information
system and more particularly pertains to receiving and analyzing
signals in a vehicle and generating a message in audible and
viewable form in response to the analyzed signals.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of traffic systems of known designs and configurations is
known in the prior art. More specifically, traffic systems of known
designs and configurations previously devised and utilized for the
purpose of analyzing signals and generating messages by known
methods and apparatuses are known to consist basically of familiar,
expected, and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding
the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which
has been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and
requirements.
By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,977,884 to Ross discloses a
radar detector responsive to vehicle speed. Additionally, Japanese
Patent Number JP09027096 to Shinichi discloses a speed excess
alarming device. The subject matter of these patents is
incorporated herein by reference.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives
and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a
modular traffic information system that allows receiving and
analyzing signals in a vehicle and generating a message in audible
and viewable form in response to the analyzed sensor readings.
In this respect, the modular traffic information system according
to the present invention substantially departs from the
conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so
provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of
receiving and analyzing signals in a vehicle and generating a
message in audible and viewable form in response to the analyzed
signals.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing
need for a new and improved modular traffic information system
which can be used for receiving and analyzing signals in a vehicle
and generating a message in audible and viewable form in response
to the analyzed signals. In this regard, the present invention
substantially fulfills this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types
of traffic systems of known designs and configurations now present
in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved
modular traffic information system. As such, the general purpose of
the present invention, which will be described subsequently in
greater detail, is to provide a new and improved modular traffic
information system and method which has all the advantages of the
prior art and none of the disadvantages.
To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a front
patch box. The front patch box is positionable in the motor
compartment of a vehicle. The front patch box has a plurality of
disconnectable forwardly facing sensors. The sensors are adapted to
receive a wide range of signals. The wide range of signals includes
a radio wave sensors in a horizontal plane and a radio wave sensor
in a vertical plane. The wide range of signals further includes
optical sensors at different angles. A plurality of disconnectable
extension sensors and transmitters are provided. The sensors
include a temperature sensor and a shock/vibration sensor. Also
included is a plurality of disconnectable forwardly facing
transmitters. The transmitters are adapted to send a wide range of
signals. The wide range of signals includes an optical transmitter
and a radio frequency/microwave transmitter. A rear patch box is
provided next. The rear patch box is positionable in the trunk of a
vehicle. The rear patch box has a plurality of disconnectable
rearwardly facing sensors. The sensors are adapted to receive a
wide range of signals. The wide range of signals includes a radio
wave sensor in a horizontal plane and a radio wave sensor in a
vertical plane. Optical sensors at different angles are also
included. Further provided is a plurality of disconnectable
extension sensors and transmitters. The sensors include a
temperature sensor and a shock/vibration sensor. Also included is a
plurality of disconnectable rearwardly facing transmitters. The
transmitters are adapted to send a wide range of signals. The wide
range of signals includes an optical transmitter and a radio
frequency/microwave transmitter. Next provided is a driver
compartment patch box. The driver compartment patch box is
positionable in a vehicle. The driver compartment patch box has a
plurality of disconnectable supplemental electronic components. The
electronic components include but are not limited to a mobile
modem, a sound processor, a position system receiver, a mass
storage device and extra extensions. The position system receiver
is a global positioning system (GPS), a Loran or the like. The
mobile modem includes a mobile phone modem adapted to receive and
transmit data to a central information center. In this manner easy
updating of the data storage units of a sound processor unit and
the central processing unit and the display unit is allowed. The
mobile phone modem is also adapted to allow easy transfer of
information of the plurality of sensors and transmitters and
supplemental electronic components to the central processing unit.
The transferred information is in "real time" as well as from
stored information out of one of the data storage units. A central
processing unit is provided. The central processing unit is
positionable in a vehicle. The central processing unit has a data
storage unit. A front bus is coupled to the front patch box. A rear
bus is coupled to the rear patch box. A driver bus is coupled to
the driver compartment patch box. The central processing unit is
adapted to process signals from the plurality of sensors and
transmitters and supplemental electronic components. The central
processing unit is further adapted to analyze the processed signals
and make decisions based on the results of the combination of
sensor readings and operator selections. The decisions made by the
central processing unit are adapted to result in one or more of the
following actions: storage of data, generating an audible message,
generating a viewable message, starting an optical transmission,
starting a radio transmission, and the like. The central processing
unit is further adapted to manipulate any analyzed signal in a way
as programmed and requested by a user. The central processing unit
is further adapted to store and use stored information from the
data storage unit of the central processing unit with the
information adapted to be transferred from and to the data storage
unit of the display unit. The central processing unit is even
further adapted to auto-detect and use all of the sensors and
transmitters and supplemental electronic components coupled to the
front bus and rear bus and driver bus independent of which bus and
which devices are connected. Further provided is a viewable display
unit. The viewable display unit is positionable in a vehicle. The
viewable display unit is adapted to act as a user interface between
the central processing unit and an operator. The display unit makes
use of a menu structure and so called "soft-keys" to allow easy and
flexible configuration and use of the system. The display unit is
adapted to show the received radio signals in a graphical form from
which a user may witness the strength and frequency of received
signals. The viewable form includes graphical information,
alphanumeric representations of the graphical information and text
messages, such viewable display also has a graphical representation
with the y-axis representing the strength of any received signal
and the x-axis representing the frequency of any received signal.
The display unit is further adapted to store information and to use
stored information from the data storage unit of the display unit.
Such information is adapted to be transferred to and from the data
storage unit of the central processing unit and adapted to be
transferred to and from a home computer through a computer
interface unit. A sound processor unit is also provided. The sound
processor unit has a data storage unit. The data storage unit is
removably coupled to the central processing unit to generate sounds
and spoken text in response to a decision made by the central
processing unit. The sound processor is further adapted to store
sound files in the data storage unit of the sound processor unit.
The sound files are adapted to be changed, replaced and added by
the user by loading new sound files in the data storage unit of the
display unit as through the computer interface unit. Such sound
files are adapted to be automatically transferred to the data
storage unit of the sound processor unit as soon as the display
unit is connected to the central processing unit. Last provided is
a standard home computer. The standard home computer has a computer
interface unit. The interface is adapted to receive the display
unit with its data storage unit for the manipulation and transfer
of information between the data storage unit of the display unit
and the standard home computer.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important
features of the invention in order that the detailed description
thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the
present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There
are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be
described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the
claims attached.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the
invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is
not limited in its application to the details of construction and
to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following
description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is
capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out
in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology
and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions
and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be
utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods
and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present
invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded
as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not
depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new
and improved modular traffic information system which has all of
the advantages of the prior art traffic systems of known designs
and configurations and none of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and
improved modular traffic information system which may be easily and
efficiently manufactured and marketed.
It is further object of the present invention to provide a new and
improved modular traffic information system which is of durable and
reliable constructions.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new
and improved modular traffic information system which is
susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both
materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of
low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such
modular traffic information system economically available to the
buying public.
Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a
modular traffic information system for receiving and analyzing
signals in a vehicle and generating a message in audible and
viewable form in response to the analyzed signals.
Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new
and improved modular traffic information system comprising a
central processing unit positionable in a vehicle and a data
storage unit; a viewable display unit positionable in a vehicle and
adapted to act as a user interface between the central processing
unit and an operator; an addressable bus coupled to the central
processing unit; and at least one electronic component positioned
within a vehicle and removably coupled to the central processing
unit through the bus, the electronic component selected from the
class of electronic components including receivers, transmitters
and supplemental electronic components.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the
various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are
pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming
a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the
invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects
attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying
drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated
preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood and objects other than
those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is
given to the following detailed description thereof. Such
description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is an electrical schematic of a modular traffic information
system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present
invention.
FIG. 2 is an electrical schematic of the front patch box and its
components.
FIG. 3 is an electrical schematic of the rear patch box and its
components.
FIG. 4 is an electrical schematic of the display unit coupled to a
home computer.
FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the viewable display with
displayed information.
The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the
various figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1
thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and improved modular
traffic information system embodying the principles and concepts of
the present invention.
The present invention, the modular traffic information system is
comprised of a plurality of components. Such components in their
broadest context include a front patch box, a rear patch box, a
driver compartment patch box, a central processing unit, a viewable
display, a sound processor and a home computer. Such components are
individually configured and correlated with respect to each other
so as to attain the desired objective.
First provided is a front patch box. The front patch box is
positionable in the motor compartment of a vehicle. The front patch
box has a plurality of disconnectable forwardly facing sensors. The
sensors are adapted to receive a wide range of signals. The wide
range of signals includes a radio wave sensors in a horizontal
plane and a radio wave sensor in a vertical plane. The wide range
of signals further includes optical sensors at different angles. A
plurality of disconnectable extension sensors and transmitters are
provided. The sensors include a temperature sensor and a
shock/vibration sensor. Also included is a plurality of
disconnectable forwardly facing transmitters. The transmitters are
adapted to send a wide range of signals. The wide range of signals
includes an optical transmitter and a radio frequency/microwave
transmitter.
A rear patch box is provided next. The rear patch box is
positionable in the trunk of a vehicle. The rear patch box has a
plurality of disconnectable rearwardly facing sensors. The sensors
are adapted to receive a wide range of signals. The wide range of
signals includes a radio wave sensor in a horizontal plane and a
radio wave sensor in a vertical plane. Optical sensors at different
angles are also included. Further provided is a plurality of
disconnectable extension sensors and transmitters. The sensors
include a temperature sensor and a shock/vibration sensor. Also
included is a plurality of disconnectable rearwardly facing
transmitters. The transmitters are adapted to send a wide range of
signals. The wide range of signals includes an optical transmitter
and a radio frequency/microwave transmitter.
Next provided is a driver compartment patch box. The driver
compartment patch box is positionable in a vehicle. The driver
compartment patch box has a plurality of disconnectable
supplemental electronic components. The electronic components
include but are not limited to a mobile modem, a sound processor, a
position system receiver, a mass storage device and extra
extensions. The position system receiver is a global positioning
system (GPS), a Loran or the like. The mobile modem includes a
mobile phone modem adapted to receive and transmit data to a
central information center. In this manner easy updating of the
data storage units of a sound processor unit and the central
processing unit and the display unit is allowed. The mobile phone
modem is also adapted to allow easy transfer of information of the
plurality of sensors and transmitters and supplemental electronic
components to the central processing unit. The transferred
information is in "real time" as well as from stored information
out of one of the data storage units.
A central processing unit is provided. The central processing unit
is positionable in a vehicle. The central processing unit has a
data storage unit. A front bus is coupled to the front patch box. A
rear bus is coupled to the rear patch box. A driver bus is coupled
to the driver compartment patch box. The central processing unit is
adapted to process signals from the plurality of sensors and
transmitters and supplemental electronic components. The central
processing unit is further adapted to analyze the processed signals
and make decisions based on the results of the combination of
sensor readings and operator selections. The decisions made by the
central processing unit are adapted to result in one or more of the
following actions: storage of data, generating an audible message,
generating a viewable message, starting an optical transmission,
starting a radio transmission, and the like. The central processing
unit is further adapted to manipulate any analyzed signal in a way
as programmed and requested by a user. The central processing unit
is further adapted to store and use stored information from the
data storage unit of the central processing unit with the
information adapted to be transferred from and to the data storage
unit of the display unit. The central processing unit is even
further adapted to auto-detect and use all of the sensors and
transmitters and supplemental electronic components coupled to the
front bus and rear bus and driver bus independent of which bus and
which devices are connected.
Further provided is a viewable display unit. The viewable display
unit is positionable in a vehicle. The viewable display unit is
adapted to act as a user interface between the central processing
unit and an operator. The display unit makes use of a menu
structure and so called "soft-keys" to allow easy and flexible
configuration and use of the system. The display unit is adapted to
show the received radio signals in a graphical form from which a
user may witness the strength and frequency of received signals.
The viewable form includes graphical information, alphanumeric
representations of the graphical information and text messages,
such viewable display also has a graphical representation with the
y-axis representing the strength of any received signal and the
x-axis representing the frequency of any received signal. The
display unit is further adapted to store information and to use
stored information from the data storage unit of the display unit.
Such information is adapted to be transferred to and from the data
storage unit of the central processing unit.
A sound processor unit is also provided. The sound processor unit
has a data storage unit. The sound processor is removably coupled
to the central processing unit to generate sounds and spoken text
in response to a decision made by the central processing unit. The
sound processor is further adapted to store sound files in the data
storage unit of sound processor unit. The sound files are adapted
to be changed, replaced and added by the user by loading new sound
files in the data storage unit of the display unit as through the
computer interface unit. Such sound files are adapted to be
automatically transferred to the data storage unit of the sound
processor unit as soon as the display unit is connected to the
central processing unit.
The viewable display with displayed information may be seen in FIG.
5. The displayed information is shown in graphical form at the
upper region. The displayed information of such graphical
information is shown in alpha-numeric form at the central region.
The displayed information is shown in text form at the lower region
for any of a plurality of messages or other information. Any or all
of such displays may be utilized on the display screen to suit the
desires of a user for a particular application. In addition, any or
all of the displayed information may be provided in audio form as
through a speaker or a vehicle radio with the output of the central
processing unit being forwarded by the car interface lines.
Last provided is a home computer. The home computer has an
interface. The interface is adapted to receive the display unit
with its data storage unit for the manipulation and transfer of
information between the data storage unit of the display unit
adapted and the standard home.
The above described system has a wide variety of practical
applications for user safety and convenience. Such applications
include, but are not limited to:
1. Receiving public messages relating to the weather or to driving
conditions such as road hazards and their locations;
2. Receiving public announcements relating to the proximity of
schools or hospitals and their locations requiring unusually
careful driving;
3. Receiving public advertisements relating to the location of
places for food or lodging;
4. Receiving personal messages of a business or private nature;
5. Sending messages to the police, insurance company, associates,
or the like relating to the theft of the vehicle or of an accident
as by the user or a third party;
6. Sending personal messages of a business or private nature;
7. Sending signal commands as to open the user's garage door, turn
on a light, unlock a door, or the like;
8. Monitoring vehicle usage, whether personal or business, as for
maintenance or tax purposes;
9. Monitoring vehicle location for a plurality of vehicles when
part of a fleet of vehicles by a business;
10. Detecting conditions relating to driving such as weather or
compass direction;
11. Detecting the distance to adjacent objects such as moving
vehicles while driving or objects such as non-moving vehicles while
parking;
12. Detecting the user's vehicle location after a theft of the
vehicle and, if desired, transmitting a signal to the police,
insurance company, the user or the like;
13. Detecting the occurrence of an theft in progress of the vehicle
and, if desired, generating a deterring noise or transmitting a
signal to the police, insurance company, the user or the like;
and
14. Detecting the presence and nature of a police radar signal,
laser signal or the like.
As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention,
the same should be apparent from the above description.
Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage
and operation will be provided.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized
that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the
invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form,
function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed
readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all
equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and
described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by
the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications
and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is
not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and
operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable
modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within
the scope of the invention.
* * * * *